MAS Holdings, a leading global apparel tech conglomerate, reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability education and youth empowerment at the MAS Eco Go Beyond Sustainable Schools Programme 2024 Awards Ceremony, held on April 4, 2025, at MAS Athena in Thulhiriya.
The event, which celebrated the outstanding achievements of young sustainability leaders, was attended by Dr. Priyanie Amerasinghe, Emeritus Scientist at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Chairperson of the National Steering Committee of the GEF Small Grants Programme, as the Chief Guest. Senior officials from the Ministry of Education and MAS leadership were also in attendance.
The awards ceremony marked the culmination of a year-long journey that included workshops, training programmes, and student-led sustainability initiatives aimed at fostering environmental and social stewardship within local communities.
The Eco Go Beyond (EGB) Programme which is now in its 18th year, was launched by MAS Holdings in 2006 to instill awareness of sustainable development and encourage student-led climate action. What began as a grassroots initiative has expanded to 149 schools across Sri Lanka, providing over 177,000 students with structured sustainability education. The programme aligns with MAS’ broader sustainability strategy, the MAS Plan for Change, and aims to nurture a generation of young environmental advocates.
Speaking at the event, Director – Group Sustainable Business at MAS Holdings, Nemanthie Kooragamage, highlighted the importance of youth-driven climate action – “Today, we celebrate the teachers, principals, and most importantly, the students that have worked together towards fostering a culture of sustainability. Over the past year alone, we have seen unpredictable weather patterns that are severely impacting communities. As climate change intensifies, urgent action is needed. The Eco Go Beyond Programme offers young changemakers the knowledge and tools they need to develop real-world solutions, helping to adapt and mitigate these challenges.”
Recognizing the Next Generation of Changemakers
This year’s winners stood out for their innovative approaches to conservation, reforestation, and ecosystem restoration. Grade 9 student D.M. Rashmila Lasangi from Uduwa Kanishta Vidyalaya, was declared first place winner for her pioneering conservation project that identified 72 endangered plant species and planted 190 rare plants within a dedicated school conservation zone and established a QR system to share knowledge on the plants with community. Her initiative extended beyond her school, leading to the reforestation of 20,010 trees and removing 2975 invasive plants.
Meanwhile, Hashin Lakshan, a Grade 10 student from Bellana National School was awarded second place for his conservation and reforestation work, which included restoring degraded land near the Pahiyangala rock cave and mitigating elephant accidents along railway tracks in Galgamuwa, combating riverbank erosion along the Maguru Ganga through tree planting, and utilizing tissue culture technology to propagate endangered plant species from the Red List. His leadership resulted in the planting of 45,000 trees and the protection of the endangered Vesak Orchid.
Similarly, Asindu Navodya, a Grade 10 student from Sri Gnanodaya Central College, directed his efforts toward marine ecosystem conservation, planting 76,629 trees, including 10,000 mangrove propagules in Kalpitiya. He also developed sustainable school gardens to promote environmentally responsible agriculture within the community.
“The Eco Go Beyond Programme showcases the power of public-private collaboration in driving lasting change,” said Amanthi Perera, Head of Social Sustainability at MAS Holdings. “This year, through our partnership with UNESCO, we are expanding its impact by implementing UNESCO’s Green School Quality Standards in Sri Lanka. By integrating global best practices with local expertise, we are creating a sustainability education model that ensures no school is left behind in the fight against climate change.”
With the support of MAS Holdings and its partners, the Eco Go Beyond Programme continues to foster a generation of young leaders who are not only responding to the climate crisis but are also shaping the future of sustainability through innovation and community-driven action.
